Golding claims 3rd in Europe 1 New Man Star

by Event Media 20 Jun 2000 10:31 BST

Photo © Mark Pepper / Marinepics Ltd

Jourdain and Golding complete the podium

After Ellen MacArthur’s historic Class One monohull victory yesterday morning, nearly fourteen hours elapsed before the second boat came into view of the finish line. But then second, third and fourth followed home over the following two hour period : Roland Jourdain (Sill Beurre Le Gall), Mike Golding (Team Group 4)and Thierry Dubois (Solidaires).

At sunset yesterday Roland Jourdain brought the red-hulled Sill Beurre le Gall across the finish line under gennaker to a rapturous applause from a collection of sponsor, family and media boats. The wind was light from the South and this required a gybe from Jourdain half a mile from the finish line. A closer inspection of his boat showed a destroyed staysail hanging from the inner forestay and the assembled crowd were soon to hear about a myriad of other small but troublesome technical issues.

Next to arrive some 70 minutes later, was Mike Golding (Team Group 4). This was the boat that had been hounding Jourdain for the past few days and had been sailing in sight of the red boat for a lot of the last day. And finally, just forty minutes later, Thierry Dubois brought the blue and white-striped hull of Solidaires to the finish. All three boats docked at the pontoons in front of the Newport Yacht Club and, along with Ellen MacArthur, ended up in an impromptu skippers’ debrief each discussing the others’ strategies and problems whilst a crowd of nearly 100 friends, family and media watched on.

All three male skippers were full of praise for the exploits of the diminutive Ellen MacArthur and her boat Kingfisher. With regard to her battle that became a match race with Jourdain as the two tried to out fox each other over the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, Jourdain could only cite MacArthur’s total preparation on every front as the reason for her success. But as Kingfisher grew its lead over the past few days Jourdain became aware of a serious attack from the North from third placed Team Group 4. It almost worked and Golding pulled up to as good as along side and second place on several occasions. However the wind over the final 48 hours gave very little option to anyone and the only routing decision left was whether or not to sail through the notorious Nantucket Shoals, something that Mike Golding was just not prepared to do. This may have been the opportunity that Dubois needed to cut the corner and apply real pressure to the third placed Golding.

Dubois was really happy with the way his boat had behaved and said that he had felt really at ease in the bad weather experienced early in the race. He spent a lot of time thinking about how to avoid damaging his boat, trying to conserve his equipment for the end of this race and the upcoming Vendée Globe.

Fifth placed Open 60-footer is currently Giovani Soldini (Fila), who was expected to finish sometime after dawn on Tuesday.

Rankings :

1. Ellen MacArthur (Kingfisher) : 19.6. 2000 at 10h21 TU 
2. Roland Jourdain (Sill Beurre) Le Gall : 20.6.2000 at 00h48 TU
3. Mike Golding (Team Group 4) : 20.6.2000 at 02h00 TU
4. Thierry Dubois (Solidaires) : 20.6.2000 at 02h43 TU

Emma Richards / Pindar Update

TECHNICALLY BACK IN THE LEAD + READY TO EAT BACK THE MILES ON NASTRO AZZURO!

Emma had a tough night hand-steering to keep the boat going in light winds, but now has a good breeze. Her hard work during the night seems to have paid off today.

She cooked up a pot of pasta and managed two 20 minute slots of sleep. It is now warmer and the warmth is certainly lifting her spirits.

She is driving hard to pull back the miles on Nastro Azzuro; although technically she is 1 mile ahead of the Italian sailor, she has set herself the goal of pulling back some serious distance on the other Open 50 by the time she reaches Nantucket Island, some 550 miles ahead.

And the best is still to come...

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